After searching high and low and some tests for myself, I've reached some conclusions for your references:

After executed PHSPCS3_Cont_WWE.exe, I got the following 4 main folders and some of them contain additional subfolders:

(1) Adobe DNG Converter, (2) Adobe Solutions Network, (3) Documentation, (4) Goodies

I'll explain one by one to my best knowledge. PS: I am using Windows XP Pro so this is just for this OS.

(1) Adobe DNG Converter: It contains two files of which one is the read-me file and one is the converter. The converter (Adobe DNG Converter.exe) is a stand-alone file and you will run the file when you need to convert to DNG, and it does not require any installation. Thus, you can place the folder and/or files to any place and use them when you need them.

(2) Adobe Solutions Network: It contains two sub-folders (International and North America) and each of them contains additional information about Adobe's partners in each region. So guess you know it's not essential and can be placed to anywhere.

(3) Documentation: Two additional Adobe's files in PDF format and one sub-folder for scripting guidelines. Again, based on your needs, place these help files to folders where are easy for you to remember and access to.

(4) Goodies: This folder is more complicated and may vary largely based on the version one purchased (Extended vs. CS3) and if one is going to use. So I am going to list them, again, based on my best knowledge.

Basically, Goodies has 6 sub-folders (3D models, Hi Res RGB Textures, lynda.com Web swatches, Optional Plug-Ins, Stock Photography, Textures for Lighting Effects) and one Adobe Type Library.pdf which is nothing but to sell additional type fonts to you. So I will skip the last Adobe Type Library.pdf.

4.1 3D models: For those who purchased regular CS3 like myself, this folder has NO use for us since it is for Extended version that comes with 3D capabilities. How to use it? I guess you can use "Import 3D model" function in the Extended version for these additional models. PS: This is based on what I read from a short tutorial but exactly I did not have chance to test if for myself.

Additional note: For those you have not activated your copy, you may wait a little bit of longer so that you can test Extended version. For what I know, the product is installed, by default, as the Extended version and it will be determined by your product key for which version to be used after activation. I activated too soon and it turned to the regular version so I do have any chance to test more. Well, I could deactivate it but maybe I don't want to. In any case, for those have not activated yet, you could wait a bit of longer if you wish to test additional features.

4.2 Hi Res RGB Textures: Contains some high resolution texture files and again you can place to anywhere and won't make any difference.

4.3 lynda.com Web swatches: It contains two sub-folders in addition to several .aco files under the main folder. I spent tremendous time on finding these. If you are going to use the files, you will need to put all .aco files under:

C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Application Data\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS3\Presets\Color Swatches PS: [user name] (without bracket) is the user's name when you logged into the computer.

And when you launch PhotoShop CS3, you can reach them by clicking Swatches panel and the additional swatches option just under the top collapse option. They will be listed in a separated group under default swatches.

4.4 Optional Plug-Ins: I guess this is the only more useful folder and it contains 8 additional subfolders.

4.4.1: Ditherbox: It has installation instructions.

4.4.2: Ffactory: It has installation instructions.

4.4.3: File Formats: It has installation instructions.

4.4.4: Filters: It does not have installation instructions, and after some researches and tests, I decided it should go to: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS3\Plug-Ins\Filters

4.4.5: HSBHSL: It has installation instructions.

4.4.6: Kodak PhotoCD: It has installation instructions.

4.4.7: Optional Extensions: It has installation instructions, and basically, this is to alter your registry files for changing some PhotoShop's default behavior. I decided to stay with the default settings until I know it better.

4.4.7: Seiko Epson: This is especially designed for Epson printer and you can read additional information in the folder. Since I don't use Epson printers, so I skip it.

4.5 Stock Photography: Contains 3 subfolders with image files and 3 adobe files (AdobeP8M.md0...). You can place those image files to anywhere for your use, and according to my research, no one seems to know what those three files are for and they have been there since the early release of PhotoShop and seems never have been changed. You can leave them as it is or delete them and I guess will make no difference (as some people experimented on earlier version indicated).

4.6: Textures for Lighting Effects: Additional textures files and I personally put them under C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS3\Presets\Textures and I guess that it's safe for you to place them to any other place. I can't find any sources for how to use "Textures" in Lighting Effects, and online help does help at all.

So I guess that's about all. I've done my best to find out how to use those files, and certainly, as mentioned, I am a new user and thus could be wrong.

PS: For what I've learned, many of these are there since earlier version of PhotoShop so it shouldn't be something NEW. I'm surprised to see how LITTLE help that people willing to share in this forum and no Adobe staff will jump in to provide any assistance. I have to say that this is the least helpful forum that I've ever joined and experienced.

Good luck.

notme

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